Personal Assistant - Operations Director Womens and Childrens

• Waikato Hospital, Hamilton
• Permanent full time 80 hours per fortnight
• Office based position
• This is a unique opportunity to provide critical support to our Operations Director & Medical Director for Womens and Childrens Health

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and exceptionally organised individual to join our senior leadership team as a Personal Assistant to the Operations Director for Womens and Childrens Directorate. The appointee will also provide administrative support to our Medical Director.  This is a pivotal role, providing proactive high level administrative and executive support to the Director and wider leadership team.

Our ideal candidate will be someone who understands that this type of role requires a degree of flexibility when it comes to start and finish times, to meet the demands of the role, as there may be occasions when an earlier start or later finish is required.

As a key member of the team, you will play a central role in coordinating day-to-day activities, managing key communications, including briefings, reports and presentations. A critical element of this role includes oversight of capital purchasing, procurement processes and the effective management of capital projects within the Directorate, ensuring compliance, timeliness, and value for money. You will enjoy setting up meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes in a timely way and distributing documents.

You will be a core contributor to the senior leadership team, fostering strong working relationships across services and departments, and supporting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, proactive and self-driven with the confidence and composure to perform under pressure. You will have proven experience in supporting senior leaders within complex, fast-paced environments, preferably within healthcare or the broader public sector. You will bring exceptional administrative expertise, sound judgement, discretion, professionalism, and a commitment to service excellence, whilst being a great writer with excellent communication and visual production skills.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

Waikato Hospital is the largest single campus hospital in Australasia.  As a teaching hospital and the major tertiary referral centre Waikato Hospital provides specialised and emergency healthcare for the Waikato and Te Manawa Taki or Midlands area. It is the only major hospital in New Zealand to offer all surgical specialities on one campus and is the major trauma hospital for the central North Island.

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

Reporting to the Operations Director, Womens and Childrens you will be an energetic, focused, high performer with initiative, someone who can remain calm under pressure. You will be diplomatic and have exceptional organisational skills. You will be passionate about working within a service that is committed to improving health outcomes for our communities in line with the Health New Zealand Health targets such as, but not limited to, reducing wait times for surgery and first specialist appointments.

You will also need to demonstrate the following:

• 23 years experience as a PA or in a senior business support position
• Strong time management, organisational skills, and ability to handle multiple tasks
• Excellent communication and visual production skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel, Visio, and Outlook)
• A demonstrated understanding of health equity and be committed to approaching your work with inclusivity and an open mind
• An appetite and ability to learn new systems and processes quickly
• Confident report writing and documentation skills. Proven ability to write well, proof read and appropriately use grammar and punctuation.
• A meticulous, high-standard approach to work with strong attention to detail
• Familiarity with administrative processes and system improvement
• Experience with capital and procurement processes and finance and procurement systems such as Oracle
• A sense of humour, team commitment and a kind approach
• A positive, flexible, professional and discreet attitude with a strong drive for results
• A full current NZ Drivers licence

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click Apply online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here. Please include an up to date CV and Cover letter.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 25^th November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Lisa McKerrow at Lisa.McKerrow@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.